Harmonielhere
2014 | Canada | Directed by Michel Dt Lam | Composed by John Adam | Orchestral conductor Kent Nagano | Experimental with music (without talkin)
55 min
Licensing
Experience the immersive and musical film Harmonielehre which will immerse you in the heart of the work of American composer John Adams. Thanks to the recording of the Montreal Symphonic Orchestra and its conductor Kent Nagano at Maison symphonique, you will be propelled into an imaginary world, between the composer’s subconscious and the grandeur of a fulldome experience.
CREDITS
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Compositeur
John Adams
Chef d'orchestre
Kent Nagano
Réalisateur
Michel D.T Lam
Réalisateur son
Carl Talbot
Scénarisation et animation «Liberation» : Joseph Lefèvre
Scénarisation et animation «Spiritual sickness» Jean Ranger
Scénarisation et animation «Grace»
Patrick Trudeau
Conception, animation et vidéo
Maxime Roux
Conception, animation et 3D
Pierre-Guilhem Roudet
AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
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- PRIX NUMIX | Best experience of virtual reality
Harmonielehre invites the viewer to reflect on art and music, and offers a refreshing and different kind of experience.
— Caroline Rodgers, La Presse
At last, a contemporary way to approach classical music in the third millennium.
— Patricia Lachance, ELLE Québec
John Adams
Composer
John Adams is an American composer born in 1947. He is one of the most important figures in contemporary classical music. Although he is often associated with minimalism—a style based on repetition—his music is more expressive and varied than that of many other minimalist composers.
One of his most famous works is Harmonielehre, composed in 1985. This orchestral piece marks a key moment in his career. It blends repetitive patterns with rich, romantic harmonies, creating powerful, emotional, and highly original music. It is a work frequently performed in major concert halls around the world.
John Adams is also known for his operas such as Nixon in China and Doctor Atomic, as well as On the Transmigration of Souls, a tribute to the victims of September 11, which earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 2003.
Kent Nagano
Orchestral conductor
Kent Nagano is an American conductor of Japanese descent, renowned for his innovative approach and his unique ability to bridge classical and contemporary music. He has led several internationally acclaimed ensembles, including the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), where he served as Music Director from 2006 to 2020.
Among his standout performances is Harmonielehre by John Adams, which he conducted in 2019 with the Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra. Composed in 1985, this landmark work of minimalism is known for its rich orchestral textures and intricate rhythmic structures. Under Nagano’s baton, the performance was praised for its clarity and emotional depth.
In addition to his conducting career, Kent Nagano is also an author. In his book 10 Lessons of My Life (2021), he shares insights and reflections drawn from his artistic and personal journey.
Michel D.T Lam
Director
Michel Lam is a Montreal-based filmmaker known for his innovative multimedia work that blends music, technology, and sensory experiences. In 2014, he created an immersive visual interpretation of John Adams’ Harmonielehre, in collaboration with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and conductor Kent Nagano. Presented in the Satosphère dome at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), the 360-degree experience combined 3D visuals and spatial sound, offering audiences a unique way to engage with the music. The project was praised for its creative use of technology and its ability to deepen the listener’s understanding through immersive storytelling.